Beloved Espanola Way Celebrates 25 Sensational Years of Oh! Mexico

Perfectly perched at the entrance of Miami Beach’s charming Espanola Way is the wildly-popular Oh! Mexico, a Miami Beach gem for locals and visitors since its earliest days as one of the island’s first Mexican restaurants. The 154-seat hotspot owned and operated by acclaimed hospitality group Vida & Estilo (V & E) has been a go-to since Day One for delicious, robust Mexican food and drink in a gorgeous indoor/outdoor space.

Hard to fathom but those early days were a long time ago as this always-buzzing restaurant is currently celebrating its 25th anniversary and what better way to do so then with an aesthetic refresh and an array of new menu items. But not just any menu items would do; to truly honor its silver anniversary V&E tapped none other than famed Mexican chef Rodrigo Estrada and Jamil co-founder and owner Jamil Dib to work in tandem with the culinary team to create new dishes that would be as vibrant as the restaurant itself and elegantly complement its vast menu of signature favorites.

“Working with the V&E culinary team was a blast. We had a great time adding some exciting new items that bring color, flavor and fun to the table,” offered Chef Estrada, who is most often found wowing diners south of the border in Mexico City. “With the new dishes we tried to weave traditional Mexican influences and traditions into familiar and popular favorites. I’m proud of the dishes we created and hope they become fan favorites at Oh! Mexico Espanola Way.”

Standout new temptations include but are not limited to:

• Ceviche Acapulco — fresh fish of the day, lime juice, tomato, onion, serrano pepper, cilantro, clam juice, orange soda and avocado

• Ceviche Tulum — fresh golden corvina, lime juice, charred red onion, habanero pepper, avocado and cilantro, infused with squid ink
• Street-style Elote — fresh ear of corn, skewered and grilled with chipotle mayo, Cotija cheese and chili lime powder
• Taco Birria — slow braised beef, melted Mexican cheese, onion, cilantro on a soft corn or flour tortilla, served with birria broth
  

  Taco Birria by OH! Mexico

• Cauliflower al Pastor — a vegetarian flavor bomb with onion, cilantro and pineapple on a soft corn or flour tortilla
• An eye-catching Vampiro taco — grilled corn tostada, melted Mexican cheese, birria meat, onions and cilantro

Of course, the restaurant’s popular mainstays will always remain. Since its launch, the team has proudly served between 60-80 orders of guacamoles and classic margaritas daily for a total of close to 7 million each.

Guests can choose to dine in the festive inside dining room, which boasts comfortable new blue leather booths, a colorful Mexican tiled bar, distinctive wrought-iron tables and chairs and a cornucopia of vintage design elements. Of course, a huge draw has been and always will be Oh! Mexico’s gorgeous patio, which evokes the feel of a Mexican sidewalk cafe.

And what meal here would not be complete without a knockout libation. Using fresh produce from local purveyors and freshly-rendered juices, Oh! Mexico’s pours are as much a draw as its plates. Here, imbibers can find more than 200 tequilas and mezcals, employed in classic and fruit-infused margaritas, Tequila Pops, Cantaritos (mezcal cocktails served in traditional Mexican clay cups) or tajin-rimmed micheladas.

According to V&E co-founder and owner Jamil Dib, “Our goal is to continue to reinvent and improve the Oh! Mexico experience, keeping the restaurant in the spotlight. We’re adding new notes to Oh! Mexico’s cheerful ambiance with renovations to our interior and outdoor dining areas and with the assistance of one of Mexico’s greatest chefs, Rodrigo Estrada. After 25 years of providing great service to our customers, we are beyond excited to introduce these innovations and see what the next 25 years will bring.”

This month, the group launched its third location of Oh! Mexico Taco Shop at 804 Ocean Drive. The concept serves authentic Mexican dishes with homemade tortillas filled with freshly prepared ingredients. A perfect spot for a casual bite steps from the ocean, beach goers are welcomed to arrive in their bathing suits to enjoy signature tacos, margaritas and other Oh! Mexico favorites.

 

About V&E Restaurant Group

The hospitality group behind Oh! Mexico, V&E (as in “vida” and “e no stilo”, life and style) have operated since 1996 offering a variety of cuisines reflective of the cultural melting pot of Miami Beach including Italian, Mexican, Cuban, American and Sushi. One of the largest restaurant groups in South Florida, with 19 dining establishments in Miami and an additional 3 in Las Vegas , consisting of full-service restaurants and two Cuban coffee shops. In 2021, the City of Miami Beach honored V&E with a key to the city for outstanding services to the community & visitors, also awarding Oh! Mexico with the Hispanic Heritage Month Award for its long contribution to the city. V&E Restaurant Group consists of a team of international industry professionals that successfully tie together traditional, lifestyle and nightlife concepts into one vision and turn it into a reality. In 2023, the team added News Cafe, Cortadito Brickell & Cafe Americano at Brickell City Center. This talented group of creators are behind some of the most recognized and entertaining restaurants located in Miami and Las Vegas. Since 1996, V&E has demonstrated proven success and expertise through its diverse portfolio in the US. The group currently owns and operates over 22 locations. The most important element in V&E’s lifestyle concept is their focus on a unique 360-degree ambiance, ranging from music to decor.

 

Photo Credits: Oh! Mexico And DEEPSLEEP

Date Posted: February 9, 2023